Attachment for keyboard type musical instruments



Jan. 23, 1940. J, A. @5250 2,137,999

ATTACHMENT FOR KEYBOARD TYPE MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS Filed Jan. 6, 1938 Patented Jan. 23, 1940 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE ATTACHMENT FOR KEYBOARD TYPE MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS 2 Claims.

This invention relates to an attachment for pianos, accordions, or the like to retain the keys manually in a depressed position after the players fingers have been removed to hold the note 5 or chord until another key or keys are pressed down.

An object of this invention is to provide an attachment for musical instruments played by keys to permit the instrument to be played, like 10 an organ, by mechanically holding a key or keys to sustain a note or chord until another note or chord has been played.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will hereinafter become apparent from the following specification of which the drawing forms a part, and wherein:

Figure 1 is a fragmentary perspective view partially in section illustrating the invention applied to the keyboard and frame of a musical instrument,

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary vertical sectional View partly in elevation of the same showing a key in its normal position,

Figure 3 is a view similar to Figure 2 showing 26 the key held in a depressed position, and

Figure 4 is an enlarged perspective view of one of the lugs or hooks which depend from each of the keys.

Referring more particularly to the drawing wherein like reference characters designate like or corresponding parts throughout, l designates a keyboard frame of a musical instrument and II the keys, shown to illustrate the attachment comprising this invention.

Mounted in frame ID on base I2 are the brackets I3 in which is journaled the rod I4. A plate I5 which extends the length of frame I0 has its lower edge I6 rolled to engage around rod I4 to pivotally support the plate I5 adjacent the 0 side I! of frame I 0. Mounted between plate I5 and side I! at spaced intervals are the springs I8 which urge plate I5 away from side I'l.

Plate I5 is bent lengthwise to form the angular portion I9 the upper edge of which is bent outwardly to form the flange I9.

Depending from keys II are the lugs or hooks 20 having the elongated slots 2I through which fastenings 22 extend to adjustably position them on keys II. The lugs 20 are provided with de- 50 pending portions 23 having rounded or beveled faces 24 and narrow shoulders 25. Between face 24 and shoulder 25 is an inclined portion 26. As seen in Figure 2, the lower part of the beveled face 24 engages the edge of flange I9 when key II is in its normal position.

From the foregoing it will be seen that when any one or any group of the keys II are depressed, the rounded face 24 will slide over the edge of flange I9 to retract it to compress spring I8. When flange I9 reaches portion 26 plate 5 I5 urged by spring I8 will begin to move outwardly again until key II reaches a fully depressed position. When key I I is fully depressed, as in Figure 3, shoulder 25 will engage the underside of flange I9 to hold key II depressed. The key or keys II will be thus held depressed to sustain the note or chord until another key or keys II are depressed, as heretofore explained, at which time plate I5 will again be retracted to release the shoulder 25 from ll flange I9 to allow the edge of the flange I9 to slide over portion 26 and down the beveled face 24. Thus, the originally held keys II will be released and a second group depressed and held.

The keys that are depressed simultaneously by the fingers will remain down until another group is depressed. The downward movement of the second group releases the first group. Plate I5 being one continuous strip, any number of keys, remotely positioned, may be held down at once and released by any one key II being pressed down.

Lugs 20 are made adjustable so that proper alignment may be maintained.

The conventional means employed in pianos, 30 and accordions will raise the keys II when they are released.

The invention as illustrated and described is only intended to disclose the preferred embodiment of the invention, various modifications and changes may be resorted to without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed.

I claim as my invention:

1. An attachment for keyboard musical instruments to sustain tones, comprising a spring actuated plate pivotally mounted in a keyboard frame beneath the keys, said plate having a horizontally disposed flange projecting towards the keys, and hooks adjustably mounted on the keys, said hooks having elongated rounded outer faces terminating in a shoulder for engagement with said flange to retain the keys depressed, said rounded faces being positioned to engage the flange to retract the plate for releasing the depressed keys while other keys are being depressed.

2. A tone sustaining attachment for keyboard type musical instruments, said attachment comprising a spring actuated retaining member pivotally mounted in a keyboard frame and having a horizontally disposed flange at its upper free edge, and lugs secured to and depending from the keys, said lugs having elongated shanks rounded on their outer side for engagement with said flange to retract it, shoulders formed above said rounded portions to engage said flange to retain the keys in a depressed position, and beveled faces formed between said shoulders and the rounded portions whereby the depressed keys will be released during the downward movement of other keys to positively release all of the keys when one of the 5 keys is in a partly depressed position.

JOSEPH A. DEZSO. 

